Russian thespian Vladimir Zeldin, who was reportedly the world's oldest working theatre actor, has died at 101, according to the Associated Press.

Ivetta Kapralova, Mr. Zeldin's wife, confirmed the news, according to reports in various Russian news agencies.

The breakthrough role for Mr. Zeldin, who was scheduled to make a stage appearance next month, was as a shepherd in They Met in Moscow. He appeared in numerous films in the 1940s and did stage work in more recent years.

Vladimir Zeldin was born February 10, 1915, in Kozlov, Tambov Governorate, Russian Empire.

His other screen credits include Ten Little Indians (1987) and Duenya (1978), among many others. He is the winner of a Nika Award, the People's Artist of the Republic Award, and the People's Artist of the USSR Award.

The news comes just a few months after the death of another actor, Radu Beligan, who also claimed to be the world’s oldest.